Socrates dead according to reports

04 December 2011 11:17

Brazil legend Socrates has died at the age of 57, according to reports in his home country.

The Brazilian media, quoting sources at the Albert Einstein Israeli Hospital in Sao Paulo where Socrates was being treated for food poisoning, say he died this morning.

His wife and a friend also fell ill after also eating infected stroganoff at a nearby hotel, reports said. But, owing to his already ill-heath - this was his third hospital admission of the year - he was unable to recover.

Speaking after his initial hospitalisation in August, the former midfield great revealed his poor condition was the result of alcohol abuse.

Socrates is regarded as one of the greatest players of his generation, a cultured midfielder who won 60 caps for the Brazil national side, scoring 22 goals.

He captained the 'Selecao' at the 1982 World Cup and also played at the 1986 tournament in Mexico, although never managed to win football's biggest prize.

His club career included spells at Botafogo, Corinthians, Fiorentina, Flamengo and Santos, while in 2004 he famously came out of retirement at the age of 50 to make a one-off substitute appearance for English lower-league side Garforth Town.